Students from the UNMC College of Pharmacy honored Shawna Sunagawa, PharmD, research assistant professor of pharmacy practice and science, with the college’s 2025 Distinguished Teaching Award at its recent fall honors convocation.
Second-, third- and fourth-year pharmacy students annually choose one faculty member who has made the biggest impact upon their respective educations.
“It’s one of the best ways we get to express our gratitude to the faculty who inspire excellence, foster curiosity and make the UNMC College of Pharmacy a community we’re proud to be a part of,” P4 class president Daniel Kresock said upon presenting the award.
Kresock said pharmacy students admire Dr. Sunagawa’s infectious enthusiasm and genuine care for students – as well as her modeling a balance of teaching, research and clinical practice. Dr. Sunagawa is a clinical pharmacist who practices at the UNMC Specialty Care Center, HIV Program.
“Her approach to teaching takes even the most complex topics and turns them into something we not only understand but remember,” he said.
Aaron Mohs, PhD, and Nathan Sutera, PharmD, were finalists for the honor.
Fishler inducted into pharmacy leadership society
Thirteen UNMC College of Pharmacy students newly inducted into the Beta Xi chapter of Phi Lambda Sigma, the international Pharmacy Leadership Society geared toward students, were joined by a 14th member of their incoming cohort.
Mandi Fishler, student services coordinator, was surprised by the unusual but not unheard-of honor of being inducted into the society as a non-student.
“It was an amazing reflection of what she means to college,” said Don Klepser, PhD, interim dean of the UNMC College of Pharmacy.